The three commissioners that lead the Railroad Commission select among themselves a new chair every two years, with the leadership post traditionally going to whichever commissioner next faces re-election.
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Incoming Railroad Commission Chair Jim Wright
Following tradition, Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright has been selected by his fellow commissioners to serve as chair for the statewide agency.
The three commissioners that lead the Railroad Commission select among themselves a new chair every two years, with the leadership post traditionally going to whichever commissioner next faces re-election. That commissioner is Wright, who faces re-election in 2026.
Fellow commissioners Wayne Christian and Christi Craddick elevated Mr. Wright to the chair position during the agency’s June 17 open meeting. He succeeds outgoing chair Craddick, who was re-elected to the Railroad Commission last year for a term that ends in 2030.
Speaking with a journalist with the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Mr. Wright said he remains committed as chairman to supporting innovation in the oil and gas sector, particularly on issues such as produced water recycling. “Despite the change in title, my goals as chairman are the same as when I first took office: To ensure a stable, common-sense, regulatory environment that encourages the responsible production of our Texas natural resources,” he said.
Wright was first elected to the Railroad Commission of Texas in November 2020. The Railroad Commission regulates the state’s oil and gas industry and oversees the state’s natural gas utilities, with each member serving six-year terms.